Nurses Speak out Against Cuts to Women’s Health Services

July 16, 2017NewsComments Off on Nurses Speak out Against Cuts to Women’s Health Services12 Views

WINNIPEG, MB. – The Manitoba Nurses Union is talking out towards current frontline health care cuts that may disproportionally have an effect on Manitoba women, together with the discontinuation of lactation session providers at Health Sciences Centre, and the current choice to shut down the Mature Women’s Health Centre at Victoria Hospital.

“The number of front line healthcare cuts we’re seeing across the board is staggering” stated MNU President Sandi Mowat. “The cuts to women’s health services are particularly disturbing. They’re vital, specialized services that women depend on. We should be improving access to reproductive and post-partum care, not reducing it.”

Lactation consultants present vital breastfeeding and post-partum care to the good thing about moms and new infants. Beyond medical care, they provide schooling and emotional help throughout a essential improvement interval that may be overwhelming and exhausting for moms.

“Mothers depend on lactation consultants. These nurses have specialized training in postpartum care,” stated Mowat. “The decision to cut this service puts mothers and their newborns at risk.”

The Mature Women’s Health Centre sees 5,000 sufferers a yr and receives three,000 calls. They cope with gynecological points, menopause transition and supply options to hysterectomies. This program additionally supplies providers to women between the ages of 20 to 40 who’re experiencing distinctive, untimely gynecological points.

“Many women who are referred to the Mature Women’s Health Centre are dealing with serious and complex health issues,” stated Mowat. “As demographics shift in our province, demand for these services can be expected to increase. Closing this centre just doesn’t make sense.”

MNU acquired discover that the Mature Women’s Health Centre will doubtless shut October 10, however the timeframe for the discontinuation of lactation session at HSC is unclear.

“Nurses across the province are very concerned. The WRHA and the Manitoba government need to press the pause button. They need to consider the effect that these hasty cuts will have on women and children. This is not what Manitobans voted for.”